Chinese Protesters: Stop Nabbing, Eating Our Cats

Thousands of strays transported for food: protesters

(Newser)
–
Several dozen protesters in Beijing today urged an end to the "shameful" and "cruel slaughter" of cats for food as they unfurled banners in a tearful demonstration. Thousands of cats across the country have been rounded up recently by traders and transported to Guangdong province; protesters claim they are skinned and cooked alive. The Chinese media have been filled with pictures of cats in cages, rescued enroute to Guangzhou, the provincial capital.

One paper estimates that 10,000 cats are consumed daily in Guangdong. "We must make them correct this uncivilized behavior," the protest leader said, urging the provincial government to crack down on cat traders and restaurants that serve cat meat, although it's not illegal, and has long been common in some parts of China.

A woman holding a picture of a trapped cat cries as she takes part in today's protest.
(Elizabeth Dalziel)

A cat stretches its paw for food after being rescued by China Small Animal Protection Association from a Tianjin market that trade cats for meat and fur, in Beijing.
((AP Photo/EyePress))

The protesters say as many as 5,000 cats across the country, mostly strays, have been caught in the past week by traders and transported to be killed for food.
(Elizabeth Dalziel)

Cats are seen caged after being rescued by China Small Animal Protection Association from a Tianjin market that trade cats for meat and fur.
((AP Photo/EyePress))

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